<p>I've never had anyone evaluate my chances before, so this will be very interesting to me. I currently attend Emory University, and I am applying transfer mainly because of the location and the people here. I don't like the south very much or the heat and the people here all fit the preppy, normal stereotype. I don't fit in well. I have a very different personality and have not found my niche. So anyway, here are my stats:</p>
<p>1440 SAT
710, 680, 590 SAT IIs
Rank: Top ten percent of high school class (my high school only ranked by deciles) though I had some Bs on my transcript
College grades so far: A, A, A, A (and an A in gym)
College courses: American Studies 112, English 210, Science Fiction & Politics seminar, Microeconomics 101
So college GPA is a 4.0
AP Spanish - 4, AP English - 4, AP Calculus BC - 3(3), AP Government - 4</p>
<p>Applying to (in order of choice):
Columbia [applied last year ED, it's the school I've always wanted to go to]
Yale
Stanford
Brown</p>
<p>Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Also, what are the transfer acceptance rates of these schools? I heard Columbia's was 8% last year, and Yale's was 3% - that's so damn low, lower than their undergrad acceptance rates. I think that my applying ED last year and having a 4.0 in college with a great determination to go to Columbia might give me an edge. Any other thoughts?</p>
<p>I think all four of those schools are reaches for you. Are you planning to stay at Emory if you don't get into those four? Are you shooting for sophmore transfer? </p>
<p>I think you need to find a way to define yourself better. How do you stand out? </p>
<p>My college GPA does not help at all? I thought especially for Columbia that because I haven't given up and have done very well in college at a good school I might have a good chance.</p>
<p>My majors: Comparative Literature and Economics
I want to be a stock broker and write on the side (I think).</p>
<p>1440 is not terrible for any of those schools and though my SAT IIs lack, my friend was accepted to MIT last year with worse SAT IIs than mine. Any advice? Comments?</p>
<p>Just as important as your test scores and grades would be you reason to transfer to those schools. The remark that you dont like the people and the heat (which you should have known when you visited or did research on the school and location) just wont cut it. It seems that despite your not liking the people and climate you are doing well there and the transfer college admissions board would wonder why you would want to transfer and why to their school.</p>
<p>the 4.0 you have this semester wont be a good selling point, because its only over one semester. Having a 4.0 over 3 semesters would be very good though, its just that having a 3.85-4.0 GPA when applying to these schools only puts you in the "final group," as it were. its your essay, reasons for transfer, and EC's that will make the final determination once you make that "final group." as far as the SAT's go, for a transfer student the scores are good, even for these schools.</p>
<p>Thanks, northrams. That was helpful. My reccomendation is going to be great because it's by one of my professors who loves me and I'm the only freshman in the class, and it's a difficult class. Furthermore, she's a Brown alumni. My essay should be interesting, about my grandmother, but done very tastefully and with an air of comedy.</p>
<p>Brown's admission standards for transfers depart from the traditional "formula" in that they tend to admit interesting people with vibrant personalities who will contribute to the vitality of the social life rather than the person with near-perfect board scores and grades. </p>
<p>That said, the essay is the single most distinguishing factor in admissions. it's advisable to write about yourself, how interesting you are, how you'd contribute and have your personality shine through your essay.</p>
<p>Your 4.0 will be VERY helpful. People who say otherwise are flat out wrong. As an Ivy transfer myself I noticed many accepts did exactly what you did, a 4.0 is amazing even if its just one semester. You have a great shot at Brown and Columbia, Yale and Stanford probably not. Also, not fitting in with the culture is not a bad reason to transfer but in your essays mention how you want the culture of NYC, etc, etc.</p>
<p>Thanks, slipper1234. Is there anyway we can talk via AIM? My screen name is Cormeister37. I'd like you to read my essay on why I'm not satisfied and I'd also like to hear about your experience.</p>
<p>I can read your essay since I volunteer at a local high school helping kids with their essays, but I'm not a sophomore at Brown. I attend NU.</p>
<p>Slipper: a 4.0 is helpful, but it doesn't make or break an applicant, especially when it's after only one semester. 4.0s really impress adcoms if they've been sustained over at least a year. </p>
<p>I also don't understand your logic in assessing chances. Columbia accepts the same percentage of applicants as Stanford, yet you say copper has an excellent shot at the former but not the latter. Why? </p>
<p>You should also note that an essay recounting one's desires to immerse himself in New York City aren't enough to impress the adcoms. Believe me, I spoke to one who bemoaned NYC essay after another. It's not enough. It can help, but it shouldn't be the focus of the essay, nor should an applicant devote ample space to discussing it.</p>